Kobe Steel’s Blast Furnace Reduces Pig Iron Output Due to Trouble

Kobe Steel revealed No.2 blast furnace at Kakogawa works in Hyogo, Japan had suspended operation since August 8 due to facilities trouble. The furnace restarted operation on August 13. The output is expected to recover the ordinary level a month later and the production loss is estimated at around 100,000 tonnes in steel volume. Kobe Steel tries to minimize impacts on steel consumers, requesting for supports by other integrated steel makers.

No.2 blast furnace in Kakogawa works has 5,400 cubic meters of inner capacity. The furnace became unable to output pig iron due to trouble of tap hole opener on August 6. Pig iron and slag back flowed and deposited around tuyeres while pig iron solidified around tap hole. The furnace stopped operation on August 8 as a result.

The operation restarted in afternoon of August 13. Detailed effects are still unclear for Kagogawa’s steel shipment while the furnace’s pig iron output is expected to return to the ordinary level a month later. Kobe Steel eyes requests for delivery schedule change against steel consumers or supports by other steel makers including Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Industries.